Newbury drugs dealer is jailed

Man caught with heroin, crack and mephedrone

Twenty-three-year-old Matthew Holmes, of The Oaks, was sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment at Reading Crown Court on Thursday, January 21.

He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply the class A controlled drug, heroin; to possession with intent to supply a class B drug - mephedrone -and to possession of a class A drug, crack cocaine.

Holmes was stopped by officers in Pigeons Farm Road, Newbury, on May 13 last year.

He was found to have more than £100 in his sock and officers suspected he was carrying drugs within his clothing. He was taken to Newbury police station and, during a search, the drugs were located.

He was then arrested and was charged with the offences on December 1 last year.

The court also ordered forfeiture of the money and phone that Holmes had in his possession at the time of his arrest.

Speaking following the sentencing, investigating officer Sgt Damien Isherwood, from Newbury police station, said: “Drug dealers exploit the weak and the vulnerable and destroy lives. If you deal drugs in West Berkshire then, working with the Crown Prosecution Service, we will do everything in our power to prosecute you.

“We need the public’s help. If you know someone who is dealing drugs, please report them to police by calling 101.”